Bearing holder

ABSTRACT

A support for bearings is described which comprises a support member with an inner wall portion of a closed end having a configuration adapted to engage a bearing wall portion; a releasable bearing restraining member slidably received within the support member with an outer wall portion at a first end thereof adapted to engage the bearing wall portion substantially simultaneously with the engaging of the bearing by the support member; and a clamping means in operative combination with a second end of the restraining member to exert a sufficient force on the restraining member to restrain the bearing within the inner and outer wall portions.

United States Patent 91 Croisant et al.

[54] BEARING HOLDER [75] Inventors: John A. Croisant, Midland; Harold D.Folts, Rhodes, both of Mich.

[73] Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company,

Midland, Mich.

22 Filed: March 11,1971

211 Appl.No.: 123,283

UNITED STATES PATENTS 327,524 10/1885 Chivill ..308/27 729,356 5/1903King et al. 2,835,464 5/1958 Kolodin ..248/62 51 Jan. 9, 1973 PrimaryExaminer-Milton Kaufman Assistant Examiner-Barry GrossmanAtt0rneyGriswold & Burdick, Robert W. Selby and Stephen S. Grace [57]ABSTRACT A support for bearings is described which comprises a supportmember with an inner wall portion of a closed end having a configurationadapted to engage a hearing wall portion; a releasable bearingrestraining member slidably received within the support member with anouter wall portion at a first end thereof adapted to engage the bearingwall portion substantially simultaneously with the engaging of thebearing by the support member; and a clamping means in operativecombination with a second end of the restraining member to exert asufficient force on the restraining member to restrain the bearingwithin the inner and outer wall portions.

8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAN 9 I975 3.709.571

INVENTORS. John A Crollsanl- Haro/aO FO/IJ BEARING HOLDER BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION This invention relates to supports and more particularlyto supports or retainers to hold bushings and/or bearings.

Bearings or bushings are frequently maintained in a substantiallyimmobile position by hangers or supports, which are held together bymultiple bolts or screws. Installation and removal of a bearing orbushing in such a device can be time consuming and difficult incorrosive environments, for example, a bearing located within a conduittransporting an acid or a caustic composition. A device adapted toafford rapid removal of a bearing from such device with a minimum ofhuman contact with the corrosive environment is desired.

An object of this invention is to provide a device for holding bearings.

It is another object of this invention to provide a bearing holderadapted to simplify installation and removal of bearings.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a bearing holderadapted to simplify installation and removal of bearings positionedwithin corrosive environments.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparentduring the course of the following description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above objects have been achieved in abearing retaining device comprising a bearing support member, areleasable bearing restraining member, and a clamping means in operativecombination with said bearing restraining member. The bearing supportmember has an open end and a closed end. At the closed end of saidbearing support member, an inner wall portion has a configurationadapted to engage an exterior longitudinal wall portion of a bearingplaced in mechanical contact with the inner wall portion. Twoeffectively parallel, spaced apart elongated legs extend from the closedend of said bearing support member. Said releasable bearing restrainingmember, having a first end and a second end, is suited to be slidablyreceived between the elongated legs of said support member. At the firstend of said restraining member an outer wall portion of a configurationadapted to engage an outer longitudinal portion of a bearing ispositioned in operative opposing relationship to the support memberinner wall portion. By operative opposing relationship, it is meant thatthe closed end inner wall portion of said support member and the firstend outer wall portion of said restraining can simultaneously engage abearing or bushing to prevent substantial movement of said bearing orbushing. The restraining member further includes an elongated forcetransmitting appendage extending from the first end in a directiongenerally opposite the outer first end wall portion.

Specific sections of the bearing retaining device are effectivelyparallel when a sufficient force can be transmitted by the elongatedappendage, from the clamping means, to retain a bearing within theclosed end inner wall portion of said support member and the first endouter wall portion of said restraining member without significantlydeforming the elongated legs of said support member or the elongatedappendage of said restraining member.

The clamping means is so positioned to exert a sufficient forcethroughthe elongated appendage, in a direction toward the first end of saidrestraining member, to restrain a bearing within said restraining memberouter wall portion and said support member inner wall portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The accompanying drawing furtherillustrates the invention:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an apparatus employing theclaimed device within a conduit;

FIG. 2 is an end view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectioned longitudinal view of the embodiment of FIG. 2along plane 3-3.

Identical numerals, distinguished by a letter suffix, within the severalfigures represent parts having a similar function within the differentembodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. 1 is depicted a partialcross-sectional transverse view of an apparatus employing the bearingretaining device of the claimed invention. A longitudinally extending,peripherally enclosed conduit or pipe 11 is adapted to receive saidbearing retaining device through a wall section of the pipe 11.Receiving flanges 13 extend inwardly toward each other from the wall ofpipe 1 l at a cut away section of pipe 1 l. Receiving flanges 13 can beintegrally or removably attached to the wall of pipe 11. A clampingbrace 15 is attached to receiving flange 13 by, for example, welding orbolting. Bearing support member 17 is attached to receiving flanges 13utilizing a support fastening means such as welding or a support flange19 having bolts extending through the support flange l9 and receivingflange 13. A releasable bearing restraining member 21 is positionedwithin bearing support member 17-and seats on the outer longitudinaldefining surface of hollow split bearing or bushing 23. Within hollowbushing 23 is positioned a shaft 25. The restraining member can definean optional lubricate passage 26 to provide lubrication to bushing 23and shaft 25. A clamping means such as bolts or pressure plate 27 isremovably attached to clamping brace 15 to induce downwardly directedforces on releasable bearing restraining member 21, thereby securingsplit bushing 23 in asubstantially stationary position.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the claimed devicewhich comprises bearing support member 17a having spaced apartsubstantially parallel elongated legs 29'extending from a closed end toan open end. At the closed end of bearing support member 17a, an innerwall portion 31 is of a configuration suited to engage the outerlongitudinal periphery of bearing 23a. Optionally, the entire inner wallsurfaces of said bearing support can be adapted to engage an exteriorlongitudinal wall portion of said bearing, thereby readily permittinginsertion of a one piece bearing into the closed end of bearing supportmember 17a from the open end of said bearing support member. The supportmember can be removably attached to a fixed body, such as partiallyshown receiving flanges 13a by a support fastening means, for example,support flanges 19a and bolts 33.

A releasable bearing restraining member 21a is designed to be slidablyand removably inserted between spaced apart legs 29 of support member17a. An outer wall portion 35 of a first end of bearing restrainingmember 21a is preferably contoured to accept the outer longitudinalperipheral configuration of bearing 23a. The outer wall portion 35 alsopreferably includes a locking means as recess 36 to inhibit annularmovement of bearing 23a. At least one and preferably two spaced apartsubstantially parallel elongated force transmitting appendages 37 extendfrom the first end of restraining member 21a to second end of saidrestraining member. Optionally, a pressure equalizing means such asstiffener 39 can be positioned between the elongated appendages 37 atthe second end of said restraining member. The stiffener 39 can beattached to the elongated appendages by common means known to thoseskilled in the art. The stiffener 39 is suited to substantiallyuniformly distribute forces, applied to said stiffener by a clampingmeans or pressure bolt 27a to the elongated appendages 37.

A guide 41 is preferably, generally perpendicularly mounted on theelongated appendages 37 utilizing suitable attaching means known tothose skilled in the art. Guide 41 extends between elongated appendages37 and sufficiently beyond said appendages to slidably contact theelongated legs 29 of support member 21a to locate the outer wall portion35 effectively opposite the inner wall portion 31 of support member 17a.When outer wall portion 35 is effectively opposite inner wall portion31, forces applied by pressure bolt 27a and transmitted to outer wallportion 35 through stiffener 39 and force transmitting appendages 37 cansecure bearing 23a in a substantially stationary position.

In operation, replacement of bearing 230 can be effectuated by merelyremoving pressure bolt 27a, sliding the releasable bearing restrainingmember upwardly from between elongated legs 29 of support member 17a,and removing the split bearing 23a from the device. To insert a bearingin the. device, the reverse procedure is followed.

Although the bearing retaining device of this invention can be readilyemployed where normal atmospheric conditions exist, it has been found tobe especially valuable for securing bearings in corrosive environments,such as securing a bearing around a rotatable shaft within a screw typeconveyor for transferring corrosive substances.

What is claimed is: l. A bearing retaining device comprising: a bearingmember; a bearing support member having a closed end and an open end; atthe closed end an inner wall portion of a configuration adapted toengage an exterior longitudinal wall portion of said bearing.

member; and two spaced apart, effectively parallel elongated legsextending from the closed end;

a releasable bearing restraining member suited to be slidably receivedbetween the spaced apart elongated legs, said restraining member havinga first end and a second end; at the first end an outer wall portionpositioned in operative opposing relationship to the support memberinner wall portion and of a configuration adapted to engage an outerlongitudinal wall portion of said bearing; at least one elongated forcetransmitting appendage extending from the first end; and at least oneguide, the guide generally perpendicularly mounted on-the elongatedappendage, the guide extending beyond the elongated appendagesufficiently to slidably contact the legs of said support member tolocate the first end outer wall portion of said restraining membereffectively opposite the closed end inner wall portion of said supportmember; and

a clamping means in operative combination with the second end of saidrestraining member to exert a force sufficient to restrain a bearingwithin the restraining member outer wall portion and the support memberinner wall portion.

2. The bearing retaining device of claim 1 wherein the inner wallsurfaces of said bearing support are adapted to engage an exteriorlongitudinal wall portion of said bearing.

3. The bearing retaining device of claim 1 wherein said releasablebearing restraining member includes two spaced apart, effectivelyparallel elongated force transmitting appendages.

4. The bearing retaining device of claim 3 wherein said restrainingmember includes a pressure equalizing stiffener positioned between theelongated appendages at the second end of said restraining member, thestiffener suited to distribute a force applied by said clamping meansbetween said elongated appendages.

5. The bearing retaining device of claim 3 wherein said clamping meansis a pressure plate suited to sim ultaneously and uniformly apply forcesto said elongated appendages.

6. The bearing retaining device of claim 3 including 2 guides mounted onopposing surfaces and extending between the elongated appendages.

7. in combination with a shaft with a peripherally surrounding bearingand a bearing retaining device sealably positioned within a conduit fortransporting a corrosive substance, the improvement comprising:

a bearing support member having a closed end and an open end; at theclosed end an inner wall portion of a configuration adapted to engage anexterior longitudinal wall portion of the bearing; and two spaced apart,effectively parallel elongated legs extending from the closed end;

a releasable bearing restraining member suited to be slidably receivedbetween the spaced apart elongated legs, said restraining member havinga first end and a second end; at the first end an outer wall portionpositioned in operative opposing relationship to the support memberinner wall portion and of a configuration adapted to engage an outerlongitudinal wall portion of the bearing; and an elongated forcetransmitting appendage extending from the first end;

two spaced apart clamping braces attached to the conduit; and

a clamping means removably attached to said clamping braces, saidclamping means in operative combination with the second end of saidrestraining member to exert a force sufficient to restrain the bearingwithin the restraining member outer wall portion and the support memberinner wall portion, such improvement providing a combination elongatedappendages, the guides extending beyond the elongated appendagessufficiently to slidably contact the legs of said support member tolocate the first end outer wall portion of said restraining membereffectively opposite the closed end inner wall portion of said supportmember.

1. A bearing retaining device comprising: a bearing member; a bearingsupport member having a closed end and an open end; at the closed end aninner wall portion of a configuration adapted to engage an exteriorlongitudinal wall portion of said bearing member; and two spaced apart,effectively parallel elongated legs extending from the closed end; areleasable bearing restraining member suited to be slidably receivedbetween the spaced apart elongated legs, said restraining member havinga first end and a second end; at the first end an outer wall portionpositioned in operative opposing relationship to the support memberinner wall portion and of a configuration adapted to engage an outerlongitudinal wall portion of said bearing; at least one elongated forcetransmitting appendage extending from the first end; and at least oneguide, the guide generally perpendicularly mounted on the elongatedappendage, the guide extending beyond the elongated appendagesufficiently to slidably contact the legs of said support member tolocate the first end outer wall portion of said restraining membereffectively opposite the closed end inner wall portion of said supportmember; and a clamping means in operative combination with the secondend of said restraining member to exert a force sufficient to restrain abearing within the restraining member outer wall portion and the supportmember inner wall portion.
 2. The bearing retaining device of claim 1wherein the inner wall surfaces of said bearing support are adapted toengage an exterior longitudinal wall portion of said bearing.
 3. Thebearing retaining device of claim 1 wherein said releasable bearingrestraining member includes two spaced apart, effectively parallelelongated force transmitting appendages.
 4. The bearing retaining deviceof claim 3 wherein said restraining member includes a pressureequalizing stiffener positioned betweEn the elongated appendages at thesecond end of said restraining member, the stiffener suited todistribute a force applied by said clamping means between said elongatedappendages.
 5. The bearing retaining device of claim 3 wherein saidclamping means is a pressure plate suited to simultaneously anduniformly apply forces to said elongated appendages.
 6. The bearingretaining device of claim 3 including 2 guides mounted on opposingsurfaces and extending between the elongated appendages.
 7. Incombination with a shaft with a peripherally surrounding bearing and abearing retaining device sealably positioned within a conduit fortransporting a corrosive substance, the improvement comprising: abearing support member having a closed end and an open end; at theclosed end an inner wall portion of a configuration adapted to engage anexterior longitudinal wall portion of the bearing; and two spaced apart,effectively parallel elongated legs extending from the closed end; areleasable bearing restraining member suited to be slidably receivedbetween the spaced apart elongated legs, said restraining member havinga first end and a second end; at the first end an outer wall portionpositioned in operative opposing relationship to the support memberinner wall portion and of a configuration adapted to engage an outerlongitudinal wall portion of the bearing; and an elongated forcetransmitting appendage extending from the first end; two spaced apartclamping braces attached to the conduit; and a clamping means removablyattached to said clamping braces, said clamping means in operativecombination with the second end of said restraining member to exert aforce sufficient to restrain the bearing within the restraining memberouter wall portion and the support member inner wall portion, suchimprovement providing a combination adapted for removal of the bearingfrom the corrosive substance containing conduit with a minimum ofenvironmental contamination.
 8. The improvement of claim 7 wherein saidrestraining member includes two spaced apart, effectively parallelelongated force transmitting appendages and two guides generallyperpendicularly mounted on the elongated appendages, the guidesextending beyond the elongated appendages sufficiently to slidablycontact the legs of said support member to locate the first end outerwall portion of said restraining member effectively opposite the closedend inner wall portion of said support member.